My Cooper S is now going back to dealership under warrantly for the FOURTH time in under 3 months of ownership! And with the same problems as of before.

You've probably guessed one already, the famous R56 death rattle of which I was told ''this is perfectly normal''. I don't know how normal a chain which controls the whole engine, rattling away (not just in the cold) with the threat of smashing up all sorts of valves and pistons is, but it's not very normal to me.

Also, the turbo inlet pipe had come off (again) which blurts out oil so it's impossbile to tighten up the jubilee clip as it slips back off again. This is a bit of a concern too as any sort of cr*p could then be sucked into the turbo/engine....and I don't have a spare £8k to replace them! BMW tell me ''oh just pop into the service dept you're still in warranty''. That's all very well but as my luck would have it I know long term damage will occur only when I'm out of warranty!

It also is coming in for trim troubles too, the plastic cover which holds the untrasonic sensors above driver head is on the wonk and also the plastic cap which goes over the cross section of the chrome edging where the passenger does it has come off, and as warranty doesn't cover this I have to pay £26 for a plastic cap the size of a 1st class stamp!!

Now after the 4th time in such a short space of time I am getting to the point where I want to return this car becuase of so many problems (the first time it went in was after 2 days with a list of 12 problems - they assured me the car went over their ''100+ point check''). I have no trust in it's reliability and I have told them this is the last time, the next time this car comes back to you will be becuase I am returning it.

But at the same time I love it so I don't really know what to do! Also what my legal rights are at the same time as I signed a finance agreement etc.

Hammo I have to say the one saving grace with the reliability issues I've had with my Cooper S (also 2007) has been the faultless service I have received from Ryebrook Mini Shrewsbury. Every problem I've had which incudes the death rattle, engine overheating, etc have all been done perfectly and under warranty.

I have also had trim issues and had them done under warranty, surely this is covered? They are not wear and tear items? Also when you first reported the death rattle they should have replaced the chain and tensioners with the upgraded parts. This is a known issue on the early R56's and this should be done under warranty. The warranty claim on mine for the work was £1300 quid and they did it all with no quibbles and I got a courtesy car!

In fact the only thing I've paid for with the car is when the windscreen got smashed and replaced, the monkeys at the window fitters damaged the chrome trim around the window which mini replaced. Even then I only paid the £13 for the piece of trim and they fitted it for me for free!!

I'm shocked to hear the level of service you are receiving from your dealership. These cars are expensive, much more expensive than your average car of the same size and spec you expect a certain level of service from them at least. If they haven't put a new chain and tensioners on I would pursue them over that first and if they won't do it I'd write to Mini UK and complain.

Hi

The turbo inlet pipe is a known problem I have seen 4 of my mates cars on 2007 and 2008 r56's. all those cars were done under warrante. The rubber adaptor in the end of the hose deteriorates. And the design fault is that the inlet on the turbo housing is to short which makes the problem worse.

If your cam chain is as bad as you say it is it needs to be changed. They have been braking. One thing in your favour is you have reported it, make shore you voice your concerns and make shore they write it down and give you a copy. if they don't change it and it goes bang you have proof and they then should cover it. Might be a fight but you should be ok.

If you feel you not getting any joy take it to another dealer

Hope his helps

In all fairness they have been very good and they are now currently replaceing both the chain and tensiosners as well as the turbo inlet pipe as that was also coming off.

But yes I would have expected after all the arseache this service dept have given me is to waive the £26 for the trim!

Hi ya

Glad to here things have gone ok for you. It restores my faith
I have been lucky I have a good dealer near me and chris at lloyds has been a great help
And all the guys here at mini2 have been so helpfull

Would like to give everyone an update since last post - my MCS has been back TWICE since! no change - still a mixture of dielsel/lawnmower engine sound haha.

Service manager has tried to insult my intelligence by telling me its normal for a BMW engine - he didn't respond lightly when I corrected him telling him it's a PSA engine. His face when he realised, actually he can't foot this 19 year old, he knows his stuff.

The Master Tech at Stevenage Specialist Cars also agreed with me that there is a knocking noise (as well as the service manager) - this was on Friday the 13th to add to the amusement.

Got a phone call today from a technician telling me after its overnight stay there is nothing wrong with the car, no noise whatsoever. I asked to speak to the master tech about this but at 830 he was busy already apparently. I told the technician after the 5th time going back to BMW in 3 months of ownership you guys best be 100% sure that there is nothing wrong with the car - or I shall be returning it!

Low and behond when I received it today, it still sounds like a bag of nails - a slightly quieter bag of nails that it was before. And also in the 15 miles the master tech has driven it he has managed to reduce my average mpg from 38 mpg to 28.8mpg - that would take some serious battering with the sport button - something which I'm pretty ****ed about as it's not his car to treat like cr*p.

If anyone else has had the same problems, particulary if at the Stevenage Specilast Cars delaership please let me know as they are pathetic and I would warn anyone thinking of buying a MINI/BMW to steer away from these ametuers!

To add the cherry on the cake I'm sure I'm probably included in the 250000 car re call MINI have just published regarding potential fire hazard with the turbo.

From another dissatisfied MINI customer

not that it probably helps but I had similar experience with my R56 death rattle at the Ipswich dealer, so your not alone in getting the bad customer experience on this.

when BMW muck things up, they seem to muck it up to the extreme, I think they had my car in pieces for well over a week in the end, told me it was fine half way through the week,come pick it up, so turned up only to be told theyd changed their mind and taken the car to pieces for another test but hadnt bothered to tell me, that kind of thing.

all I can say is just stand your ground and keep insisting this problem is real, and they need to fix it to your satisfaction, you almost have to call their bluff on it as theyre basically hoping you just give up and go away if they fob you off enough times, but keep going and eventually they will crack if enough pressure is brought onto them.

it certainly doesnt make you very popular with them, I dont think my garage have spoken to me in over 18 months since they "fixed" mine, they even moved and didnt bother to tell me...I did complain to MINI UK fwiw about it, which wasnt alot as it turned out...and I fully expect Ive got the Mr Grumpy tag next to my name on their system, so can expect more of the same when I have to use them again. so yeah, how Im not looking forward to going back for this recall :(


stonojnr

Hammo - I'm in the same situation as you my freind (see my post for full details). It's been nothing but a nightmare and it's got to the point where I am beginning to take legal action to reject the vehicle.

My advice - if it's less than 6 months since you've bought it - claim the vehicle is not fit for purpose as the owness is on the dealership to prove it isn't. Get yourself a different car that isn't going to cause you this level of stress because it just isn't worth it.